The Woman Who Wanted Everything
Chapter 15 - The Woman Who Wanted Everything
The legal proceedings continued through winter.
The financial investigation uncovered additional disputed documents and led to further scrutiny of transactions involving Vanessa, Richard, and Daniel.
The criminal case arising from Mom's assault proceeded separately.
I learned quickly that real justice did not move at the pace of television drama.
There were interviews.
Delays.
Motions.
Expert evaluations.
Days when nothing appeared to happen.
And days when a single document changed the direction of everything.
Eventually, Vanessa was required to answer questions under oath in the civil proceedings.
Her explanations shifted as the records were examined.
She denied intending to harm Lily.
She insisted the punishment system had been misunderstood.
She described Mom as interfering.
But she couldn't explain why the smiling chart prohibited Lily from telling me about the rules.
She couldn't explain why a three-year-old needed a locked room.
And she couldn't explain away the incident I had witnessed.
Outside one hearing, Vanessa asked to speak with me.
With our attorneys' knowledge, we spoke briefly in a supervised area.
She looked tired.
For the first time since I'd known her, her appearance seemed unimportant to her.
"Marcus," she said, "I never thought things would get this bad."
I studied her.
"You had months to stop."
She lowered her eyes.
"I was afraid of losing everything."
I thought about the mansion-like penthouse.
The charity events.
The jewelry.
The bank accounts.
"Vanessa, you had a daughter who loved you."
Her eyes filled.
"I know."
"And a mother-in-law who tried to help you."
She looked away.
"And a husband who would have listened if you'd told him you were struggling."
She said nothing.
I took a breath.
"But instead, you frightened Lily. You hurt Mom. And you lied."
Vanessa began crying.
For the first time, I didn't rush to comfort her.
I wasn't cruel.
I wasn't shouting.
I simply understood that her feelings could no longer become my responsibility at the expense of everyone else.
"I hope you take responsibility," I said.
May you like
Then I walked away.
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